Why Chicago's Navy Pier was Almost Abandoned

During the 80's I went fishing with my father at Navy Pier, numerous times. It was very barren then, but serene. Eventually, I found other interests and did not return to Navy Pier for many years. When I did return I was shocked at how much it changed. It's been great to see it thriving, but I do miss the quiet days of fishing there with my dad. It was like one of our secret fishing spots.

I moved to Chicago area back in 1977. I recall going to the pier when it was mostly abandoned and empty. I remember when it started hosting Chicago fest and later Taste of Chicago. I was working downtown by then and could walk there on my lunch or after work. I believe then Mayor Jane Byrne had a lot to do with that. I watched as it was slowly being restored and improved. I later moved to Florida in 1999, but I have been back a few times and I am deeply impressed to see it as it stands today.

I was a member of the last class of U of I students to attend school at Navy Pier in 1964. I remember that no classes were scheduled on Tuesdays and Thursdays between 2 and 4 p.m. so that social functions could be held for all students to attend if they wished. I remember watching "On the Waterfront," one of my favorite movies at the time, for a quarter! One of the janitors rode a bicycle up and down the halls on his way to and from whatever was his schedule for the day. His bike had one of those kid's bells mounted to the handlebars, the one with the little lever that rang the bell several times rapidly when you pulled it. The front section housed the "cardboard classrooms." If you had a class there (and I did), your instructor had to complete with unloading and transportation noises from the business side of the Pier. Smoking was prohibited in the cardboard classroom area. My first experiences with microwave ovens were at the Pier. There was a room that housed a wall of Amana radaranges for student use. I was the last family member to attend school there. I still have a U of I sweatshirt that my older brother got for me when he attended his first two years of college at the Pier. It's been worn almost to shreds. It was my go to sweatshirt for years. My class only had the joy of school in a warehouse for one semester. Then, the proposed location at Congress Circle, newly renamed Chicago Circle opened. The name originally referred to the Congress Expressway which formed the northern boundary of the campus but renaming that expressway after President Eisenhower nixed the original name. U of I at Navy Pier--gone, but never forgotten.

As a long time Chicago area resident I remember when Navy pier was a run down industrial mess. Jane Byrn was the savior creating ChicagoFest and helping the renovations get started. I still visit with my family on our bikes. It is a Tourist Trap now, but the views of the lakefront and city are amazing. I do recommend taking a lakefront or architectural boat tour. The history of the lakefront and John Burnham's vision is amazing.

I love when you do Chicago content

The history and engineering of the water cribs that are out on lake michigan is pretty fascinating and deserves a history video in itself. My Dad worked as a tender out on the cribs during summer breaks when he was home from college back in the 80s. He would stay and live out there for 5 day shifts at a time tending the filter screens that blocked debris from entering the pump houses. The job is obsolete now and the city got rid of the job and computers monitor everything that humans once did.. but it was very similar to a lighthouse keeper living at and tending to a light house.

Excellent video! I worked on navy pier from 2006-2009 at the Chcago Shakespeare Theatre. We won a Tony in 2008 for best regional thatre company in the US! It's an amazing place. My shop was on the 6th floor with floor to ceiling glass, looking out over the pier and the city. We called it Rock Star. I have so many great memories of that place!

So often we hear about a great wonder that was finally run down and demolished - so nice to hear about one which had its high point, hit a very low point, but bounced back to thrive again and be a beloved part of the city's culture and community.

Thank you for mentioning Chicago Stadium, perhaps you can do a video on her. The tragedy that is Chicago Stadiums Demise is most don’t know she contained the worlds largest pipe organ. From time to time i work at Navy Pier, May I suggest everyone attempts to walk all the way back and check out the magnificent grand ball room. Truly stunning! Gods speed and thanks for a positive video on a Chicago; the greatest city in the world

Yes a new Video about chicago!

You forgot to mention that it was home to the only paddle wheeled aircraft carriers during WW2, the Wolverine and the Sable! Used to train many Navy pilot’s including future President George H.W. Bush!

They did still plan to build at least one more additional pier. Navy Pier was actually labeled “Municipal Pier #2” when it opened, with the expectation that an additional pier (#1) would later be built

Thanks for posting this interesting video. As a UIC graduate, my alma mater had its start on Navy Pier. An early nickname was "Champaign on the Rocks," alluding to the original U of I campus at Urbana-Champaign. The anchor of the decommissioned guided missile cruiser USS Chicago resides at the end of the pier today. It was fascinating to hear about the extensive trolley system that once existed in Chicago; one only thinks of the L-system today..

Don't forget the Submarine docked at Navy Pier. The USS Silversides, a Gato Class WWII submarine, docked at Navy Pier. She was decommissioned on 17 April 1946 and placed in reserve until 15 October 1947, when she was placed in service as a training ship for Naval Reservists at Chicago, Illinois. After a 1949 overhaul, she remained at Chicago in support of Naval Reserve training as a stationary training vessel for the rest of her service. In 1987, the submarine was moved to Muskegon, Michigan, to serve as the centerpiece of the new Great Lakes Naval Memorial & Museum. I took a tour of that sub while it was docked at Navy Pier.

everytime I hear that one piano riff I think of RedLetterMedia and Half in the Bag. Great video as usual!

when I was a kid we always went to St.Pats day at the pier. such a great time.

Funny thing about Chicago. If I had to pick between LA, Chicago, New York, San Francisco, portland or Boston as a place to live --- Chicago would be on top of my list.

It was abandoned for many years, then, it opened up to something called Chicago Fest, A music festival, and businesses began to move in such as Dick’s last resort on the inlet that is right next to Navy Pier. There’s a gorgeous ballroom out at the end. My grandmother used to live in that call Cloverleaf building right there at the beginning of the pier called Lakepoint tower

Never been to Chicago. However I have seen Historical programs about the city. My Favorite Architect left his mark all over the city, Frank Lloyd Wright. So much Architectural Beauty there. I LOVE what they did to NAVY PIER and happy to see it restored and enjoyed. Great Presentation, I Love your content ! :)

I met my wife at Navy Pier during a Zazz bash in August 1995. It was fun. Been married 25yrs in October 2023.